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Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

We have an adult wild mama squirrel, who came in with a head injury. After 2.5 months, we were thinking she could probably go into an enclosure in the near future, because she was doing so well. I don't think she would ever be a candidate for release, but she could be one of the squirrels that could help teach our babies about how to be wild! Tonight though, I came in to feed two new pinkies that came in earlier and saw her having seizures. I have given her molasses but after 30 minutes, is hasn't done anything to help her. I have included a link for where the video of her is at. Please let me know what else I can do to help. Thank you!

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

I'm hoping that the reason I haven't seen either of you back on is because you are using PM or phones. Praying for this Momma and her survival.

I don't quite understand the question. We have been here but not as regular as usual due to Babies and taking care of the Refuge.

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

I haven't done anything except the molasses. I could run her on a short term. She is still twitching but not nearly as bad as she was. She isn't foaming at the mouth either.

Originally Posted by stepnstone

Have you considered a short term of predisone to get the seizures under control or is that not an option?
How is she doing now at this hour?

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.

Serious fuzzy thank you's to Duckman from:

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Duckman posts. Sparky replies. Duckman answers. Then nothing for a few minutes. Was hoping maybe y'all were having a phone call trying to figure out how to help her. 😁 Glad to hear it's maybe calming down some for her....

Serious fuzzy thank you's to LR from:

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

I am also taking care of pinkies and have to work in the morning, so catching snips of sleep in between. She is resting (she is so exhausted), but is still not right. I am getting some Prednisone in the am, and am hoping that will help her.

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.

2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Duckman:

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Duckman, it can't hurt to try a bit of liquid Magnesium as well -- sometimes it will stabilize seizure activity and has worked for my Owena and several other squirrels here. If liquid is not an option, almonds are a good source.

Island RehabberNY State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

"Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)Michelangelo

*If you can't afford the vet,
You can't afford a pet.
NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Dr. Emersonís recommendation for stopping seizures short term are Valium and prednisone. Donít use metacam for seizures. Diastat is a Valium (diazepam) gel that can be administered rectally. Versed (midazolam) can also be used to stop seizures. Donít use prednisone if the seizures can be the result of MBD. Prednisone will lower the serum calcium level. Combine with calcium supplementation instead.

Seizure medications long term, Keppra appears to be the first choice, it has fewer side effects and lasts longer. Prior to keppra use phenobarbital was used. Increase the dose till seizures stop.

Activity of prednisone is dose dependent. At a lower dose it is anti-inflammatory (*0.25-0.50 mg/kg) *usual dose. At higher dose, prednisone is immunosuppressive (1-2 mg/kg)

Prednisone is anti-inflammatory for central nervous system tissue. Metacam is anti-inflammatory for non-nerve tissue. For brain trauma and spinal cord injury...PREDNISONE...PREDNISONE...PREDNISONE. If the suspected cause of a seizure is infection a good antibiotic is Chloramphenicol. Itís broad spectrum and has excellent penetration to the brain.

This info was taken from a handout sheet from Dr. Emersonís lecture. I hope it helps.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Mild "freezing" seizure issues have also been found to be controlled through the use of CBD, the non-psychoactive part of cannabis. Muggsy, a grey, has been a bit of an experiment using it; whilst working with a manufacturer, that is. It's been miraculous, though.

(Charlotte's Web is one company that produces pet versions of medicinal hemp, and CannaPet is another)

I'm not sure the dosing when seizure activity is as you've described...because sometimes CBD can be administered at a bit higher dose than the maintenance dose. This can be done before or after super stressful activities/occurrences.

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

I have a seizure girl coming into my family that is on a steady diet of phenobarbital and has been for some time. According to her caregiver it is working and there have been no seizures. She is going to Dr E fist thing and I wonder if Dr E is going to suggest a change in therapy.

Serious fuzzy thank you's to Jen413 from:

Re: Adult Wild squirrel with a head injury - Now having seizures!

Sadly, Momma Squirrel has passed. The more I read, the more I think she may have had a Brain Aneurysm. Very hard when she was doing so well over the last 2.5 months and then to find her like that. Godspeed Wild Momma

Squaddy to Rex - The Forever Baby boy!, Winkers , the One Eye Foxy Squirrel Princess!, Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world!, and now Mr. Cuddles , the very young Old Man!
Successes that we thought were not releasable -

Blue Belle (the squirrel who got braces and is now running wild in the trees!) and Felix, the cat bit squirrel who decided to be a stay at home squirrel and then changed his mind and is now running wild in the trees too!Clifford A beautiful Foxer who is now the wild squirrel he was supposed to be.

Mittens Who will be in the trees this fall, after being hit by a car and spending 2 year rehabbing so he could run the trees again.

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but not forgotten -

Stevie , the Blind Foxy Wonder Squirrel! - I tried, but wasn't able to save you beautiful Foxer girl.